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When to Plant Lentils in Robertson County, TX

Lentils are an ancient pulse crop producing small, lens-shaped seeds packed with protein and iron. They grow on short, bushy plants and are surprisingly easy to cultivate.

Robertson County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 7 and the first fall frost is November 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 254 days.

At an elevation of 85 feet, Robertson County receives approximately 61.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lentils during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Lentils, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Lentils root diseases.

Robertson County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
254 days
Last Spring Frost March 7
254 growing days
First Fall Frost November 16

Robertson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

6.8-8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (130 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 24 Transplant: Feb 28 🍅 Harvest: May 23 – Jul 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (128 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 31 Transplant: Mar 7 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Jul 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (122 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Aug 11

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Lentils needs ~1,876 GDD — county provides 5,016 GDD Excellent fit

Lentils Planting Timeline โ€” Robertson County, TX

Lentils Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 31 Jan 31 โ€“ Feb 14
Transplant Outdoors March 7 Mar 7 โ€“ Mar 21
Direct Sow February 21 Feb 21 โ€“ Mar 14
Fall Sowing September 7 Sep 7 โ€“ Sep 21
Harvest May 30 May 30 โ€“ Jul 11

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 6" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April โ€”
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
September Fall Sowing
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Low โ€” drought tolerant

Days to Maturity

80โ€“110 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 8

USDA Zone

Zone 8a

Growing Season

254 days

Growing Tips for Robertson County

Direct sow in early spring as lentils tolerate frost. Provide short supports as plants tend to lodge. Harvest when lower pods turn brown. Pull entire plants and dry in bundles.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Onion
  • Garlic

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lentils in Robertson County, TX?

Robertson County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 7. Plan your Lentils planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Robertson County, TX?

Robertson County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 7 and first fall frost is November 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Robertson County gardeners in Zone 8a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Robertson County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.